What Do You 'Swear By?'

What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
me it was

1. Deep Breathing

2. Cinnamon Altoids

3. Lots of Water.

I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!

FlatironMike
Looking for the Altoids...
Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 17:07:51 -0800 (PST), FlatIronMike
<FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote:

>What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
>makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober.

For me it was two main things:

1) getting rid of **everything** related to smoking. If I was to ever
give in to a crave I would have had to drive to the store. I am
absolutely sure that fact alone kept me from caving in on several
occasions. (you know, the "just one" temptation)

2) telling everyone I'd quit. Family, friends, total strangers. I
got plenty of "yeah, well, we'll see." Those kinds of comments made
me even more determined to quit. **I** was going to be the one to
say, "I told you so!" And I am. :-)

--
BessieBee

"My face, I don't mind it because I am behind it.
It's the folks out front that get the jolt."
~My Grandma, 1898-1981~

On Jan 4, 7:07*pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. *I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. *Deep Breathing
>
> 2. *Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. *Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

1. Attitude Adjustment, learning not to give into the fear of being
without a cigarette in those "dire times of need" It fixes nothing and
leads to regret.
2. Knowing that if I had a cigarette, I would be very diappointed and
full of regret over my actions, and know that there is not one reason
in the entire universe that would make me regret my quit.
3.Crappy NRT lozenges, lol, though it does have bright side, who wants
to eat (over eat) with a minty mouth?

Sicamous

For me it was a determination to quit, although a lot of people said I
couldn't do it. I did not quit for spite, nor did I quit to show others. I
quit for me and my kids.

I think Alex and Mark deserve to see their dad grow old. It is their right,
and I was not about to deny them that right.

--
AZ
"FlatIronMike" <FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:9b06036f-b599-4813-949c-422220dc7cf4@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

Prayer, Chantix, and AS3.

My quit song.

A mantra.

DVDs/movies and little kid hugs

Bath and Body Works products

With hope and heart,
Kathleen

"FlatIronMike" <FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:9b06036f-b599-4813-949c-422220dc7cf4@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

On Jan 4, 8:07*pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. *I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. *Deep Breathing
>
> 2. *Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. *Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

1 - AS3 = Empathy + Encouragement + Laughter + Camaraderie
2 - Water = Refreshing + Oral Fix
3 - Deep Breathing = Focus + Calm

The Big Three

Cheers!

-- Marvin

On Jan 4, 8:07 pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

1) The Patch
2) Qutting in winter-time in New England--Watching people all dressed
up like eskimos standing there freezing their asses off for a quick
nic fit.
3) Friends, reassurance
4) STRAWS! It looks stupid, but it really helps me. Cut a straw in
1/2 and keep it in your pocket. When you feel like smoking a butt,
take it out and pretend its a cig; Puff on it in the same way--
appreciate the clean air going into your lungs instead of the
thousands of carcinogenic toxins.
5) Avoiding bars for the time-being.

Tom

Peppermint Trident sugarfree gum ( stick not chicklet)
candy canes in the beginning
Ice cold water ((shocking))
posting a bazillions posts a day
deep breathing as well esp making forcing out the breath at the end
--
Lynn VOF Leaper
"Everyone seems normal until you get to know them."



"FlatIronMike" <FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:9b06036f-b599-4813-949c-422220dc7cf4@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

This was my list as well. I just think sleep and distraction
need to be added on my list.

www.quitbuddies.org


--
Steven Wright.: "Is it weird in here, or is it just me?"
-
"Marvin The Paranoid Android" <> schreef in bericht ...

1 - AS3 = Empathy + Encouragement + Laughter + Camaraderie
2 - Water = Refreshing + Oral Fix
3 - Deep Breathing = Focus + Calm

The Big Three

Cheers!

-- Marvin

FlatIronMike wrote:
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!

Great topic!

1. Replacing the word cigarette with "crunchy cat turd" (Thinking "Boy
would I love a crunchy cat turd!" quickly puts a crave in perspective.

2. Remembering that it is ok to do absolutely nothing - allowing myself
to take a break without a smoke.

3. Learning to ignore the spoiled brat within and realizing that there
are many more painful things in life than resisting a crave.

4. Patience - giving myself permission to take time to heal.

Good luck, all you new quitters!

Maude
VOF/Rocker

I think all of these tools are wonderful and listing them from time to
time can really help people who are stuck in a hard spot and are very
tempted to put the poison back into their bodies. I think the big
thing we all learn is that sharing this with others here at AS3Land is
probably the glue that does keep our quits kicking high!

FlatironMike
Smober Today!
Ten months, three weeks, four days, 14 hours, 35 minutes and 36
seconds. 6572 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,971.65. Life saved: 3
weeks, 1 day, 19 hours, 40 minutes.

On Jan 4, 8:07*pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. *I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. *Deep Breathing
>
> 2. *Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. *Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

My commitment made to this group - knowing how much I would let down
all who have taken time and trouble to write and comfort me in times
of distress only to go and blow it on a cigarette. It is this fact
alone that has kept me quit. If I weren't committed to you guys I
would have packed it in a million times by now.

Stephanie
with gratitude

One year, one month, three weeks, four days, 14 minutes and 37 seconds
ago I made a Decision. That Decision means I have not smoked 4200
cigarettes, saving $1,575.04, not to mention 2 weeks, 14 hours, 0
minutes of my Life.

TRM1977@gmail.com wrote in
news:b40aba2c-204d-4929-a555-e51f35cacfc2
@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com:

>> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can
only
>> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>>


The tools for me tend to change as my quit becomes more stable and
secure.

In the beginning (not quoting from scripture here), I started by
preparing myself about 2 or 3 weeks in advance of actually quitting.
I
did this by studying (not just reading) the vast material available
at
www.whyquit.com, lurking in this newsgroup, and going through
exercises
such as making a list of reasons why I wanted to quit.

On my quit day, I eliminated all consumption of coffee, sodas, and
alcohol - all triggers to my smoking. I also put away all ashtrays
and
lighters and ensured all left over butts were drenched and thrown
out.
I then bought massive amounts of bottled water and some orange juice
and
drank all the water I could for the next three or four days to aid in
flushing my system out. During these first few days, I greatly
increased my reading, and greatly increased my sleeping. Deep
breathing
and focusing on the positive benefits of letting go of this addiction
were crucial as well.

Today, I continue to monitor this group (in a lurking mode as of
late)
and continue to practice being thankful for being smoke-free. I'm
gratful for days now that I only have a feeting thought of smoking
once
or twice and the cravings are all gone. At the same time, I MUST
maintain some degree of caution because we all know that the full
power
of this addiction is only one puff away. I blew a quit at 18 months
back in the mid-90's and I could do it again if I let my guard down
completely.

At age 62 (as of yesterday), there may not be many more quits left
for
me, so I'd better hang on to this one.

Good topic and thread Mike :-)



---
Wayne Baker
Cold Turkey Quit Date: August 4, 2007
Nicotine Free: 5M 1d 2h
Not Smoked: 4,470
$$ Better Spent: $737.55

On 5 jan, 02:07, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!

Deep breathing.

Knowing I do not need nicotine.

Knowing I am not *giving up* anything.

Inky,

Free since 22/06/07. No nicotine for 6 months, 2 weeks, 14 hours, 5
minutes and 9 seconds. That's 5927 stinkers not smoked, saving EURO
628,46. Reclaiming 2 weeks, 6 days, 13 hours, 55 minutes.

Gum
water
lots of deep breaths!

Happy Birthday, Wayne!!!

FlatironMike
catching up with ya...
Ten months, three weeks, four days, 19 hours, 59 minutes and 43
seconds. 6576 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,973.00. Life saved: 3
weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, 0 minutes.

Yeah, happy birthday Wayne!!
With hope and heart,
Kathleen

"FlatIronMike" <FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:0a60888a-ca8e-4402-879e-bd7931571c69@i72g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
> Happy Birthday, Wayne!!!
>
> FlatironMike
> catching up with ya...
> Ten months, three weeks, four days, 19 hours, 59 minutes and 43
> seconds. 6576 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,973.00. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, 0 minutes.

On Jan 5, 12:53*pm, Wayne <nospamloansarran...@cox.net> wrote:
> TRM1...@gmail.com wrote in
> news:b40aba2c-204d-4929-a555-e51f35cacfc2
> @j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com:
>
>
>
> >> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can
> only
> >> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> The tools for me tend to change as my quit becomes more stable and
> secure.
>
> In the beginning (not quoting from scripture here), I started by
> preparing myself about 2 or 3 weeks in advance of actually quitting. *
> I
> did this by studying (not just reading) the vast material available
> atwww.whyquit.com, lurking in this newsgroup, and going through
> exercises
> such as making a list of reasons why I wanted to quit.
>
> On my quit day, I eliminated all consumption of coffee, sodas, and
> alcohol - all triggers to my smoking. *I also put away all ashtrays
> and
> lighters and ensured all left over butts were drenched and thrown
> out.
> I then bought massive amounts of bottled water and some orange juice
> and
> drank all the water I could for the next three or four days to aid in
> flushing my system out. *During these first few days, I greatly
> increased my reading, and greatly increased my sleeping. *Deep
> breathing
> and focusing on the positive benefits of letting go of this addiction
> were crucial as well.
>
> Today, I continue to monitor this group (in a lurking mode as of
> late)
> and continue to practice being thankful for being smoke-free. I'm
> gratful for days now that I only have a feeting thought of smoking
> once
> or twice and the cravings are all gone. *At the same time, I MUST
> maintain some degree of caution because we all know that the full
> power
> of this addiction is only one puff away. *I blew a quit at 18 months
> back in the mid-90's and I could do it again if I let my guard down
> completely.
>
> At age 62 (as of yesterday), there may not be many more quits left
> for
> me, so I'd better hang on to this one.
>
> Good topic and thread Mike :-)
>
> ---
> Wayne *Baker
> Cold Turkey Quit Date: *August 4, 2007
> Nicotine Free: * *5M 1d 2h
> Not Smoked: * * * 4,470
> $$ Better Spent: *$737.55

Good stuff Wayne.

On Jan 5, 5:29*pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Happy Birthday, Wayne!!!
>
> FlatironMike
> catching up with ya...
> Ten months, three weeks, four days, 19 hours, 59 minutes and 43
> seconds. 6576 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,973.00. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, 0 minutes.

Yeah, on 5 months and on 62 years.

Happy belated Birthday Wayne!!!


"Wayne" <nospamloansarranger@cox.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9A1C8D4E269A8dloansarrangercoxnet@69.28.18 6.120...
> TRM1977@gmail.com wrote in
> news:b40aba2c-204d-4929-a555-e51f35cacfc2
> @j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com:
>
>>> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can
> only
>>> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>>>
>
>
> The tools for me tend to change as my quit becomes more stable and
> secure.
>
> In the beginning (not quoting from scripture here), I started by
> preparing myself about 2 or 3 weeks in advance of actually quitting.
> I
> did this by studying (not just reading) the vast material available
> at
> www.whyquit.com, lurking in this newsgroup, and going through
> exercises
> such as making a list of reasons why I wanted to quit.
>
> On my quit day, I eliminated all consumption of coffee, sodas, and
> alcohol - all triggers to my smoking. I also put away all ashtrays
> and
> lighters and ensured all left over butts were drenched and thrown
> out.
> I then bought massive amounts of bottled water and some orange juice
> and
> drank all the water I could for the next three or four days to aid in
> flushing my system out. During these first few days, I greatly
> increased my reading, and greatly increased my sleeping. Deep
> breathing
> and focusing on the positive benefits of letting go of this addiction
> were crucial as well.
>
> Today, I continue to monitor this group (in a lurking mode as of
> late)
> and continue to practice being thankful for being smoke-free. I'm
> gratful for days now that I only have a feeting thought of smoking
> once
> or twice and the cravings are all gone. At the same time, I MUST
> maintain some degree of caution because we all know that the full
> power
> of this addiction is only one puff away. I blew a quit at 18 months
> back in the mid-90's and I could do it again if I let my guard down
> completely.
>
> At age 62 (as of yesterday), there may not be many more quits left
> for
> me, so I'd better hang on to this one.
>
> Good topic and thread Mike :-)
>
>
>
> ---
> Wayne Baker
> Cold Turkey Quit Date: August 4, 2007
> Nicotine Free: 5M 1d 2h
> Not Smoked: 4,470
> $$ Better Spent: $737.55
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

AS3- the loving, attentive, and forgiving people here!!!

Getting involved and learning from other people's experiences all helps.
It's a Filthy, Dangerous, Stinky, Expensive, Addiction!

:-p~~~~~~~ Keven OOF
Don't ever forget why you quit.

"FlatIronMike" <FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:9b06036f-b599-4813-949c-422220dc7cf4@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

Nicotine gum & beer!

really.

/me waves to Mike!
xoxo,
Cat



"FlatIronMike" <FlatironMikeNYC@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:9b06036f-b599-4813-949c-422220dc7cf4@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> What I am meaning is that each of us have a tool that really made/
> makes a difference in being able to get and stay smober. I know for
> me it was
>
> 1. Deep Breathing
>
> 2. Cinnamon Altoids
>
> 3. Lots of Water.
>
> I expect we have a myriad of tools we use and sharing this can only
> give us yet more ideas to enjoy our quits!
>
> FlatironMike
> Looking for the Altoids...
> Ten months, three weeks, three days, 21 hours, 37 minutes and 37
> seconds. 6558 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,967.40. Life saved: 3
> weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

For me it was:

1. Chantix (I'd already tried cold turkey and NRT). The Chantix gave
me the breathing room (no pun intended) be able to address all the
psychological issues associated with smoking. I really do believe it
has saved my life.

2. Making the conscious decision to NEVER EVER EVER have another
cigarette EVER again. It was all in the *thinking*. Rather than let
myself feel like I was *giving something up*, I looked at it like
getting rid of something TERRIBLE. I mean, would you feel bad about
exterminating cockroaches? Would you miss those nasty little critters
crawling around in your cupboards?

3. Journaling and working through the psychological processes which
kept me smoking. If I had a craving, I sat down and tried to figure out
WHY, and then I did something about it. I changed ALL of my routines,
which is a very dangerous thing for someone with ADHD. But I knew I HAD
to do it if I was going to break the habit.

4. Telling EVERYONE I knew that I quit smoking, and talking about it A
LOT. All the non-smokers and the ex-smokers were really excited and
supportive. Lots of the smokers were supportive. A few complained that
I was turning into a Cigarette Nazi because I talked about my quit so
often. That's their problem. I quit smoking, and they are still
fooling themselves into thinking that they will "later" when whatever
crisis is gone or after they've lost that extra 20 pounds, etc.

Cindy
Almost finished with her housework and ready to head for the hot tubs!!!!!

Maude wrote:

Great list, Maude. I need to work on a few of these:


> 2. Remembering that it is ok to do absolutely nothing - allowing myself
> to take a break without a smoke.

If this one was as hard for you as it is for me.....
>
>
> 4. Patience - giving myself permission to take time to heal.

And this one, too. Why is it we are always so patient and permissive of
others, but then expect so much of ourselves?
>

Instead of taking 69 puffs of smoke, Wayne spoketh upon us:

>At age 62 (as of yesterday), there are still many happy years left
>for me, so I'd better hang on to this one.


Happy belated birthday Wayne!

--
Tihomir 7M2W, Knin, HR 44°N 16°E
http://www.usenetpedia.com/google-groups.html

Sometimes, when your cat is washing himself, he will stop and stare
at you as if he just remembered something.